Letter: In support of a new Appleton Public Library

It has come to my attention that my stance on a proposed new library in downtown Appleton has been presented inaccurately. I am fully supportive of the proposal to build a new library in the vicinity of Soldiers Square, a few blocks south of where the library is now.

To my knowledge, there is no one in the homeless services community who opposes building a new library. The Appleton Public Library, as it stands, has been extremely receptive to the needs of this community, notably people experiencing homelessness. However, a location a few blocks from its current site will have zero impact on their outreach and receptiveness to people experiencing homelessness.

It is extremely disappointing that an individual twisted my words at the Appleton Common Council meeting last week to somehow turn support for the great library that we have into opposition to the new library. That assessment is 100 percent false. I am fully supportive of building a new library. Indeed, I believe a new library will be a better resource for people experiencing homelessness. The location of the new building, just a few blocks away from the current site, is completely irrelevant to any benefit it will have to people experiencing homelessness.

On Aug. 14, I showed my support for a new library by attending an excellent open house at the Appleton Public Library.

The Warming Shelter presented the Appleton Public Library with its Community Award on June 26. We greatly appreciate everything the library does to serve the broad spectrum of human diversity in our community. I am excited that a new library will be even better in this regard. As a taxpayer and leader of a nonprofit organization, I am fully supportive of a new library in Appleton.